Clasp.



B. P. STAFFORD.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED SBPT.11.1911.

1,124,069,, Patented Jan.5, 1915.

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BEVERLY F. STAFFORD, 0F TYLER, TEXAS.

CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 5, 1915.

Application filed September 11, 1911. Serial No. 648,630.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BEVERLY F. STAFFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tyler, in the county of Smith and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to clasps and has for an object to provide a clasp especially adapted for garment supporting as for instance hose supporting, but not necessarily limited to such use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clasp having a slot adapted to receive a part of the garment with arms connected by a tension apparatus adapted to apply tensionto the sides of the slot at all times and further adapted to increase the tension as the strain upon the clasp increases.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clasp having substantially a V- shaped slot for receiving a fabric and with spaced arms extending upwardly from the slot connected by a spiral spring spanning the interval between such arms with a supporting strap or fabric embracing the spring so that the spring is subject to stress when strain is placed upon the clasp.

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view of the device in side elevation shown under strain. Fig. 2 is a view of the device in side elevation in normal or inoperative relation. Fig. 3 is a view of the device in side elevation disengaged from the supporting strap or fabric.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The improved clasp which forms the subject matter of this application comprises a wire bent as at 10 to produce arms 11 and 12 so related that normally a small V-shaped slot is formed between the arms terminating adjacent the bend 10. Above the arms 11 and 12 the wire is preferably flattened as shown at 13 and 14 and is also curved to form an opening 15 of considerable magnitude therebetween. The upper ends of the wire are formed into eyes 16 and 17 which receive the ends 18 and 19 of a spring 20 which extends across between the wires and normally holds said clasp under tension tending to close together the V-shaped slot between the arms 11 and 12.

The clasp thus constituted is employed by use in connection with a strap or supporting fabric 21 which embraces the spring 20 as indicated at Figs. 1 and 2 and which when placed under strain by the weight of a garment thereon assumes the position shown at F ig. 1 thereby exerting additional tension upon the eyes 16 and 17. In other words while the material within the slot is continually under tension from the spring 20 such tension is increased and the gripping action upon the fabric within the slot also increased when the clasp itself is placed under strain by the weight of the fabric as indicated at Fig. 1.

I claim:

In a clasp, a resilient Wire bent upon itself to form spaced arms and a normally open V-shaped slot closable against the resiliency of the wire, an elastic member connecting the extremities of the arms and providing tension to normally hold the V-shaped slot yieldingly in closed position, and a supporting strap attached to the elastic member tending to increase the tension of the elastic member when weight is applied to the V- shaped slot.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two wltnesses.

BEVERLY F. STAFFORD;

Witnesses LOUIS DURs'r, WILL WATSON.

Gopiel 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

